Hoffenheim boss Christian Ilzer gave his team a bizarre team talk before their game with SC Freiburg (Image: GETTY)
manager Christian Ilzer reportedly put on a chef’s hat and waved a dildo in front of players and staff in an attempt to motivate his Hoffenheim team ahead of their clash with SC Freiburg before Christmas. The Austrian had only been appointed as manager of the side three weeks earlier after Hoffenheim had dispensed with the services of Pellegrino Matarazzo.
The bizarre tactic appeared to have some impact at least as Hoffenheim went on to secure a 1-1 draw against Freiburg.
But the 47-year-old is already facing pressure at the PreZero Arena, having won just two of his 10 Bundesliga matches since taking the helm.
Ilzer succeeded Matarazzo after impressing during a four-and-a-half year spell in charge of Sturm Graz.
He had led his former club to the Austrian league title in 2024, as well as two Austrian Cup triumphs, with his success capturing the attention of his current employers.
According to , Hoffenheim players couldn’t believe their eyes when Ilzer entered the dressing room in a chef’s outfit.
Their new boss, who had an apron tied around his neck and a chef’s hat on his head, proceeded to stir an imaginary magic potion that represented the ingredients needed to enjoy a successful game against Freiburg.
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Hoffenheim played out a 1-1 draw with SC Freiburg after their unusual team talk from Christian Ilzer (Image: GETTY)
Hoffenheim had failed to score in their previous three matches under Ilzer, with the manager pulling out chilli peppers as he spoke about the need for “more spiciness” in front of goal.
The newspaper have reported that Ilzer then whipped a sex toy out and exclaimed: “You have to be just as hard as this dildo.”
Ilzer isn’t the only coach at the club to use unconventional speeches ahead of matches. His assistant Uwe Holzl is usually responsible for pre-match talks in the Hoffenheim dressing room and has spoken about honey badgers and steam locomotives in an attempt to galvanise the players.
But the coaching group may have to reassess their strategy as Hoffenheim have won just four of their 17 matches in all competitions since Ilzer took charge.
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Ilzer did at least relieve some pressure on Sunday after guiding Hoffenheim to their second league victory of his tenure.
The team pulled off a shock 3-1 victory at Werder Bremen as Anton Stach, Tom Bischof and Gift Orban found the back of the net after Stanley Nsoki had opened the scoring for the hosts.
The result leaves Hoffenheim one place above the relegation zone but with a seven-point cushion over the next-highest team as they prepare to host Stuttgart on Sunday.